Local meatpacking facility proposal continued

The Lyon County Planning Commission will hear again a request for a variance of setback requirements and a special use permit for operation of a meat processing facility at the former meatpacking plant on State Route 339 north of Mason.

Abe’s Kosher Meats, LLC/Hillel Shaman, LLC, applied for a variance to the setback requirements for a slaughterhouse and/or meat packing as stipulated in Lyon County Code for M-1 zoning district; and for a special use permit to operate a small-scale meat processing facility at 150 Highway 339.

Opposition was expressed at the April 8 Planning Commission meeting by Brad Johnson of Peri & Sons Farms, Tony Reviglio of Circle Bar N Ranch and residents Mike Florio and Rachelle Thomas. Johnson and Reviglio mainly cited concerns with the potential of contaminating the Walker River, the source of irrigation water for their agricultural production, while Thomas and Florio were concerned about the negative impact to property values.

Speaking for the applicant was Kurt Schmitz, a consultant, and Hillel Shamam.

Planning Director Rob Loveberg said he didn’t have enough information to make a recommendation to the planning commission and the applicant agreed to continue the matter.

The planning commission’s motion called for a 60-day continuance but it was noted if they are ready to proceed at the May meeting it could be considered then, but a 60-day continuance allowed more time if not ready.

The variance was necessary because the applicant wished to exceed the minimum setbacks for the number of animals planned on site, to go closer to property lines.

The property originally was operated as Peoples packing plant and then in 1988 a special use permit was issued to Schmitz Packing Nevada and then in 1990 a SUP was granted for Botto & Associates, Inc., taking over the operation.

Schmitz opened the discussion talking about how stringent the requirements are under U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations, operated under a grant of inspection from the USDA. He told of a USDA veterinarian, an inspector in charge and two lay inspectors. He said technology has advanced so there is not issues of before with such operations.

He said there would be pest and rodent control, and if there were evidence of those found in the facility, they would have to stop operations immediately. He also said no rendering process would be used, eliminating some past problems, and a screening process involving the blood, which now can be sold, would reduce odors.

However, Johnson when he later spoke said things have changed from prior years, that more houses have been built in the area, including some on Mason Road, on Bridge Street and next to the property, and they have agricultural fields right across the river. He added, “Farming practices are different,” saying there are more regulations and protections.

He was concerned about wastewater ponds for the meatpacking plant 150 yards away from the river that provides their irrigation water. Johnson said the government is working on a Food Safety Modernization Act that would require testing of irrigation water.

Schmitz, though, responded the ponds will not be that close to the river. He also said dikes would keep river water from the ponds.

Reviglio said when the plant was last operated, they brought in meat already to kill for packing, unlike this operation that will bring in live animals. He also said the silt in the river bottom has built up by 11 feet, so although this area didn’t flood in 1997, it could flood now in a wetter year.

Thomas, who said she lives in the house closest to the meatpacking property, said when she and her husband were considering buying their home, she was told due to a change of laws a slaughterhouse couldn’t operate there.

Shamam spoke about the steps to make the meat kosher certified. He said kosher meats isn’t a big industry, without high-volume demand, so this would not be a large operation. He said only 60 of 100 animals can qualify to be considered kosher.

So he said there would not be a lot of animals on site, and they would only be there about 12 hours, and thus the manure wouldn’t accumulate much.